2022 Champions League Final; Liverpool vs Real Madrid Combined XI

With the Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid taking place in Paris this Saturday, I thought it's a good time to pick my combined starting 11.

This is just a bit of fun, and given my theory that Liverpool are by far the better team, I suspect my team may be very Liverpool heavy.

I'm going with a 4-3-3 formation, pretty popular with both teams, so here we go.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid Combined 11

  • Goalkeeper - Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

This was actually a very close call. Thibaut Courtois is an exceptional keeper and without him, Manchester City would be in the final.

I just think Alisson edges it though. He is one of the main differences between the Liverpool of 2018, and the Liverpool of 2022.

  • Right Back - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Again, it's not as obvious a decision as it sounds, as Dani Carvajal has done a decent job for Real Madrid. 

He's probably a better defender than Trent, but I think with the way Liverpool play, Alexander-Arnold is crucial to them.

  • Central Defender - Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

I think this one is a no brainer, van Dijk is a must play for most teams in the world, never mind Real Madrid. 

  • Central Defender - Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool)

This was a difficult one, as there was no obvious partner for van Dijk between Éder Militão, Nacho and Ibrahima Konaté.

I've gone for Konaté though. Mainly because he's struck up an impressive partnership with van Dijk in the Champions League this season. 

He's also a goalscoring threat from set pieces. 

  • Left Back - Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid)

This really was a 50/50 call between Ferland Mendy and Andy Robertson. I think I may be only picking Mendy as I'm short on Madrid defenders. 

  • Midfield - Thiago Alcântara (Liverpool)

The Spanish midfielder has finished the season strongly and is in great form at the moment.

  • Midfield - Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

How could you not pick this guy? At the age of 36, the Croatian is still dictating things in the Madrid midfield. 

  • Midfield - Tony Kroos (Real Madrid)

I'm going for experienced players in the middle, and they don't come much more experienced than Modric and Kroos.

This is the one area Real Madrid may have an advantage. 

  • Right Wing - Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

I can't leave this guy out on current form, he gets in ahead of Salah for me at the moment. 

Mane is also the player for the big occasion, just ask his Egyptian teammate. 

  • Left Wing - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

I nearly left Salah out of my XI, what I hear you say. 

Well, Luis Diaz is running him close for a starting place, and Rodrygo was also a potential selection based on his performance against Manchester City in the semi-final.

  • Centre Forward - Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Another player who can't be left out. The Madrid striker is the outstanding finisher of the two sides. 

If a chance fell to anybody, who would you want it to be? I'm sure Reds fans would say Salah, I'm a neutral, and I'm saying Benzema.

2022 Champions League Betting

In the actual match itself, Liverpool are the favourites in the latest Champions League betting. Jurgen Klopp's team are even money, with both Real Madrid and draw, both at 13/5.

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